Increased risk of hepatic complications in kidney transplantation with chronic virus hepatitis infection: A nationwide population-based cohort study
Data regarding the risk of various liver diseases among different hepatitis viruses in kidney transplantation have not yet been identified.We selected individuals with kidney transplantation (ICD-9-CM V420 or 996.81) from 2000–2009 from the catastrophic illness registry of National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD)as the study cohort. The two end-points in the study included overall death, and post-transplant occurrence of hepatic disease. After adjustment for other risk factors, the risk of mortality was increased in patients with HBV infection (N = 352) and with HCV infection (N = 275) compared to those with neither HBV nor HCV infection (N = 3485). In addition,renal transplant recipients with HBV alone,HCV alone, and both with HBV and HCVinfectionrespectively had an approximately 10-fold hazard ratio (HR) = 9.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.61–21.0, 4-fold increased risk (HR = 4.40, 95% CI: 1.85–10.5)and 5-fold increased risk (HR = 4.63, 95% CI: 1.06–20.2)of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)compared to those with neither HBV nor HCV infection. Our findings showed a significant risk of de novo liver disease in recipients with hepatitis virus infection. Based on our findings, we reinforce the importance and impact of hepatitis virus in renal transplantation.
Feb 19/16http://www.nature.com/articles/srep21312

Long-term use of amiodarone before heart transplantation significantly reduces early post-transplant atrial fibrillation and is not associated with increased mortality after heart transplantation
Background: Amiodarone is a frequently used antiarrhythmic drug in patients with end-stage heart failure. Given its long half-life, pre-transplant use of amiodarone has been controversially discussed, with divergent results regarding morbidity and mortality after heart transplantation (HTX).
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term use of amiodarone before HTX on early post-transplant atrial fibrillation (AF) and mortality after HTX.
Feb 16/16https://www.dovepress.com/long-term-use-of-amiodarone-before-heart-transplantation-significantly-peer-reviewed-article-DDDT

Implantable artificial kidney based on microchips sees major progress
An implantable artificial kidney could transform prospects for people whose kidneys have failed and who have to rely on dialysis or the rare chance of a transplant to stay alive. Now, researchers working on the first-of-its-kind device that aims to meet this need says they are hopeful of running pilot trials in humans within the year
Feb 17/16http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/306659.php

Heart Transplant Risk Index Validated for VAD Users
For patients on mechanical circulatory support, a risk index predicts 1-year mortality after heart transplantation, a study suggested, providing a tool to help in the decision between continuing long-term device support and proceeding with a transplantation for this population.
Each 1-point increase in the TRIP-MCS index (c-statistic 0.66), a "simple additive" 75-point scoring system, corresponded with an 8.3% jump in the risk of 1-year mortality (odds ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.11), according to Ashish S. Shah, MD, of Vanderbilt Medical Center East in Nashville, Tenn., and colleagues.
Feb 15/16http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/CHF/56196

Penis Transplantation: U.S. Soldier Set To Become The First Recipient
A U.S. hospital says it’s all set to perform a penis transplant operation on a wounded soldier, the first operation of its kind in the country. The anonymous serviceman, injured in an explosion whilst deployed abroad, will undergo the operation just as soon as a donor with a compatible penis can be identified. Surgery could take place within the next few weeks, reported the Washington Post. The donor will need to be of the correct age and skin color and permission must be given by their next of kin.
Feb 20/16http://www.immortal.org/24209/wounded-american-soldier-penis-transplant/